Karen A. Schefke

• VISITATION: Friday, January 26, 2024 at Hales Corners Lutheran Church (12300 W. Janesville Road) from 10:00 – 11:00 am.
• SERVICES: Friday, January 26, 2024 at Hales Corners Lutheran Church (12300 W. Janesville Road)  at 11:00 am.

Karen Ann Schefke (nee Kimpel) age 80, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2024, at East Troy Nursing Home in East Troy, Wisconsin.  She was born in Milwaukee, March 6, 1943, the daughter of the late Roy and Luella (nee Sothman) Kimpel.

She graduated from West Allis Nathan Hale High School in 1961 and from Spencerian Business College in 1963 with a Post graduate Stenographic Degree. Karen was employed as a legal secretary at prestigious law firms in both Milwaukee and Philadelphia. She was an avid member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Club and Legal Secretaries Association in Wisconsin and New Jersey.

On October 7, 1967, she was joined in marriage to Robert W. Schefke at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, West Allis, Wisconsin, the church where she grew up and was confirmed. Karen’s church life was important to her and she enjoyed teaching Sunday School, helping in the church office, and always singing in the choirs of the churches she was a member of. For eighteen years she and husband Bob lived in Cherry Hill, New Jersey before moving back to the Milwaukee area in 2003.  She was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Collingswood, New Jersey.

Karen enjoyed hobbies of crafting beautiful Christian greeting cards, collecting lace, and creating precious angels and ornaments from the lace. She learned the art of tatting from a Quaker friend, Molly, while on the long train ride to work each day into Philadelphia. Her lovely tatting would appear on cards and bookmarks and even jewelry. She also was an excellent cook and baker and always shared her tasty treats with friends and neighbors.

Surviving are her sister Annette Kimpel Navarre(Mark) of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, sister-in-law Emilie Kimpel of Arcadia, Michigan, brother-in-law Richard Schefke of Tucson, Arizona, nieces Renee Navarre Orlando(Peter) of Mukwonago, Lynn Schefke of Naperville, Illinois, nephews Scott Kimpel (Jackie) of Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S, Virgin Island, Daniel Kimpel of Arcadia, Michigan, Richard D. Schefke(Virginia) of Aurora, Illinois, Grandnieces Diamond Kimpel, Lauren Drullinger, Melia Watson, Kiana Watson, Alaina Watson, Grandnephews Michael Orlando, Samuel Orlando, Joshua Kimpel, Skyler Kimpel, James Schefke, Richard J. Schefke and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers Raymond Kimpel, Lorin Kimpel, nephew David Navarre and sister-in-law Lucille Schefke.

Also preceding her in death was her wonderful companion, Darwin Cone. Karen and Darwin had five happy years enjoying travel and family events. God provided her with a caring man of faith who appreciated her and filled her life with friendship and love

She will be remembered as loving and caring with a generous heart and loyal to her family and friends. She was a devoted sister and Aunt and will be dearly missed.

A Memorial visitation will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Hales Corners Lutheran Church 12300 W. Janesville Road from 10:00 am to the time of service at 11:00 am. The Rev Christian Wood officiating. Private family interment will be held at Pinelawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at a later date. If so desired memorials to Hales Corners Lutheran Church or School appreciated.

Heritage Funeral Home

414-281-5533

www.heritagefuneral.com